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Author: @u/AnimalRescue-ModTeam | Official /r/AnimalRescue Brand Account
Posted: Sunday, April 5th, 2026
Verified & Partnered Professional Guidelines
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Current Version: V3.02.00 (Cardinal+ Verification Guidelines) | Last Updated: May 2026 | Status: [Active Deployment]
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At r/AnimalRescue, our mission has always been to provide safe, accurate, and rapid response support for those assisting animals in need. To ensure our community remains a trusted resource for animal welfare, activism, and rehabilitation efforts, we are proud to highlight our Verified Professionals Program, overseen by our team with Cardinal+.
This program focuses on empowering you to keep doing what you’ve likely been doing: advising those in need. We see verifying experience from our most passionate contributors as a win-win situation where our newer members are assured they’re getting experience-driven advice, and our verified professionals get a platform where their expertise is recognized and respected.
We distinguish between these two statuses based on the nature of your relationship with the subreddit and our team. One confirms who you are, and the other confirms what we are doing together.
Both tiers have the same perks associated with them. An individual or organization can hold a verified status and a partnership at the same time, but can’t hold a partnership without also holding a verification status. If a partnered individual or organization loses its verification status, it will also lose its partnered status until the verification status is restored.
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:verified_professional: Verified Professional / Organization
Verification confirms who you are. This status is awarded to individuals and groups who have provided the Moderation Team with documented proof of their real-world experience and professional credentials. When a user sees the Verified Professional badge, they know they are receiving guidance backed by formal training and field experience.
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:partnered_professionals: Partnered Professional / Organization
Partnership is a specialized status reserved for those who work directly with the r/AnimalRescue moderation team on specific community-facing projects. While Partners are also verified, their role is more geared towards the growth of the subreddit. This includes hosting regularly scheduled AMAs, co-creating educational wikis, providing exclusive resources, or participating in subreddit-wide rescue initiatives and advocacy campaigns.
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Everyone's favorite part of being in a team: the perks! Becoming a Verified Professional isn't just about a badge—(ok maybe a little) it’s about joining a team of your peers who shape the future of our community.
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We hold our verified and partnered professionals to a high standard. Before applying, please ensure you meet these minimum requirements:
All verified community members must abide by the Verified & Partnered Professionals Code of Conduct. Key highlights include:
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Q: Do I have to renew my verification every year?
Q: Is my personal information and documentation safe?
Q: Can I apply if I am an international rescuer (outside the US)?
A: Yes. To ensure security and direct communication with applicants, we require the professionals themselves to handle the application process rather than a third party.
Q: What is the difference between "Verified" and "Verified & Partnered"?
Q: I am a Vet Tech or Veterinary Assistant; can I apply?
Q: I don’t have a formal license, but I have X years of experience. Can I be verified?
Q: Why do I need to sign in to Google to apply?
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